Anyone taking a walk in our Flemish nature reserves in the coming months is bound to come across them: the brand-new photo poles from the LIFE Belgium for Biodiversity (LIFE B4B) project. Across Flanders, a total of ten of these unique monitoring poles are being installed at strategic locations where nature restoration is in full swing. And the best news? You can help us see nature thrive!
How does it work? The principle is as simple as it is ingenious. The photo pole features a special little platform where you can place your smartphone. This ensures that everyone takes exactly the same photo from exactly the same angle. Using the QR code on the pole, you can upload your photo directly to the international platform Chronolog.
Taken together, all these photos of passing walkers form a fascinating time-lapse. In this way, we not only capture the changing seasons, but also document in detail how the landscape is recovering and changing thanks to our nature restoration measures.
Why are we doing this? As part of the LIFE B4B project, we are working hard on the Nature Restoration Campaign alongside various partners. We are restoring vulnerable ecosystems, reviving historic landscapes and creating more resilient natural environments that can withstand climate change. This is crucial for boosting local biodiversity and giving plants and animals every chance to thrive.
Nature restoration is a long-term process. The ten monitoring posts are essential for accurately tracking the effects of the restoration work over a longer period and making them visible to the general public.
So, will you be passing one of our photo posts soon? Take a moment, get your smartphone ready and snap a photo. Your photo is a valuable piece of the jigsaw in tomorrow’s nature research!
Curious about the first images, or would you like to view the time-lapse videos from the various locations yourself? Discover the project live on the Chronolog website.
Photos of the photo pole in Battelaer (Amelia Ilieva).
